A GIFTED young singer will take another step towards pop stardom when she appears in the final of a prestigious TV talent show on Friday.

Katie Woolnoth, 17, of Forest Approach, Woodford Green, won a place in the final of the GMTV No 1 Family competition after she and three cousins impressed judges with their singing skills during a tense semi-final.

The girls, who named their group Belles Girls in memory of their beloved grandmother Bella, saw off stiff competition from father and son duet, Goldring, and three-strong boyband, The Subs, to be selected for the sing-off against four other talented acts.

The winner of the competition will be announced on the programme on October 12.

They will be rewarded with a record contract and the chance to release a Christmas album.

Katie's dad, Cliff, is confident his daughter - who is a pupil at Woodbridge High School - will keep her feet on the ground.

He said: "She loves performing and would like to go into a career in that field, but she knows how competitive it is.

"She's just enjoying it at the moment and we'll see how it goes."

"It's up to the viewers who wins and they can vote on Friday morning. GMTV will give the details of how to vote on their breakfast show that morning."